Time for a zero refugee policy? - *Read OP for mod warnings and threadbans - updated 11/5/24*

I see another tent set up near Ranelagh.

A mechanic from Ghana, the 34-year-old said he had to "run for his life" on a "dangerous" journey through Libya, Italy, France and Belfast, arriving in Dublin over a week ago.

He heard about the encampment on social media.

"IPAS gave me a voucher when I arrived and said they were looking for an apartment for me. So, we just have to live on the street until we get a place," he said. Ha ha IPAs told him they are looking for an apartment?

No wonder more will follow with reports like this.

If it's not an election issue as you say, why is Keir Starmer talking about lowering migration?

If anyone in Ireland proposed what Keir Starmer said, they would be branded as "far-right".

Jesus wept, you really have jumped the shark haven't you. Best of luck with that shite, but be prepared to be perpetually disappointed though.

How about learning from that kickback in the UK as you call it ?

A lot of kickback against Brexit alright bht not the way you reference it ! Around 65% of Britons polled say they regret Brexit and that it has been bad for their economy .

Certainly you remind us that being very careful who you listen to and vote for is extremely important , and that jingoism ispopulism and longterm goals and plans should be thought through carefully before elections .

Thanks furze ;)

You're right re the latter - mostly the people who will write here are those who feel strongly about these changes and those who think all is fine with current policies. In between you've a large swathe of opinion that ranges from those benefiting from these policies to those with complete indifference to those quietly resenting what they see.

But there is no doubt at all that levels of concern are rising across Europe - we are not unique. What we are at the moment is the soft touch, somewhat deluded and used to being protected by our position on the western seaboard. That advantage has gone with the ease of international travel, so called called obligations and of course the ease of sharing information on social media across the world.

But the local election results pretty much tied in with recent opinion polling - big fall in support for SF and the far right parties who had been struggling in the polls also bombed in the actual elections.

The major surge for SF in GE 2020 was something of an outlier and wasn't really predicted by anyone, not even by SF themselves.

I heard there's 5 new countries going to be added, is it just those 3 or are expecting more?

I can never understand how the hell Nigeria isnt the top of the list to be named a safe country ffs

I thought Nigeria was already on the safe list.

Because they see Ireland as a soft touch. All these illegals are part of whatsapp groups and they're all communicating with each other with how soft Ireland is

Is it wrong to take pleasure with the cold weather this summer…………………. its no country for cold men 😙

Are you ignoring the changing climate across Europe? As seen currently in France. Why do you think these voters are turning from the centrist position towards Le Pen etc? Listen to them - dissatisfaction with housing, public services and immigration - all tied together and rolled into one.

The all right jacks will carry on as before here but there's a wave of public opinion gathering against the government.

Every country should be on the safe list by default. If the circumstances change, then by all means we should review it.